Novelty aerial top

ABSTRACT

A STRING ACTUATED AERIAL TOP HAVING A CENTRAL MAIN BODY WHEREIN THE WEIGHT OF THE TOP IS MAINLY CONCENTRATED. TO THE MAIN BODY ON BOTH SIDES THEREOF THERE ARE SECURED EXTENSION MEMBERS HAVING A TOTAL WEIGHT WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THAT OF THE MAIN BODY OF THE TOP. AT LEAST ONE OF SUCH EXTENSION MEMBERS IN THE FORM OF A THINWALLED AXIALLY ELONGATED BODY OF REVOLUTION. THE AXIAL LENGTH OF THE MAIN BODY IS A SMALL FRACTION OF THE TOTAL   LENGTH OF THE TOP. THE EXTENSION MEMBERS MARKEDLY ALTER THE APPEARANCE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE TOP. THE EXTENSION MEMBERS, OR AT LEAST PART OF SUCH MEMBERS. ARE PERFERABLY REMOVABLY SECURED TO THE REMAINDER OF THE TOP WHERBY THE APPEARANCE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE TOP MAY BE QUICKLY ALTERED.

5. J. SALAYKA NOVELTY AERIAL TOP 2 Sheets-Shoot 1 Filed Aug. 14, 1970 ATTORNEY 1971 5. J. SALAYKA 3,624,958

NOVELTY AERIAL TOP Filed Aug. 14, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 2 1 I I v I E umin-mg O s Imumum,

INVENTOR. STEPHEN J. SALAYKA WAlX/M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,624,958 NOVELTY AERIAL TOP Stephen J, Salayka, 30 Montrose Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11206 Continuation-impart of applications Ser. No. 557,923,

June 15, 1966, and Ser. No. 839,737, Dec. 12, 1968.

This application Aug. 14, 1970, Ser. No. 63,712

Int. Cl. A63h 1/30 US. Cl. 46-61 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A string actuated aerial top having a central main body wherein the weigth of the top is mainly concentrated. To the main body on both sides thereof there are secured extension members having a total weight which is substantially less than that of the main body of the top. At least one of such extension members in the form of a thinwalled axially elongated body of revolution. The axial length of the main body is a small fraction of the total length of the top. The extension members markedly alter the appearance and performance of the top. The extension members, or at least a part of such members, are preferably removably secured to the remainder of the top whereby the appearance and performance of the top may be quickly altered.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 557,723, filed June 15, 1966, now abandoned, and of application Ser. No. 839,737, and now abandoned, filed Dec. 12, 1968.

This invention relates to an amusement device, and more particularly relates to a device which whirls or spins in the air, the top of the invention being an aerial top of the type familiarly known as a Yo-Yo.

Most Yo-Yos made and sold today have a diameter which markedly exceeds its axial length or width. Conventional devices of this type have a diameter, for example, of 2%" and a width of 1%". Such devices are inherently limited in their mechanical design, appearance, and manner of use.

Tops made in accordance with the present invention have a central main body, wherein the weight of the top is primarily concentrated, which preferably has a diameter which is substantially less than that of a conventional Yo-Yo. Secured to both ends of the main body, in axial alignment therewith, are extension members which are lighter than the main body, at least one of such extension members being much longer than the main body. As an example, the main body of a Yo-Yo made in accordance with the invention may have a diameter of 1%" and the Yo-Yo as a whole may have a total length of /2". At least one of the extension members is in the form of a thin-Walled axially elongated body of revolution which is axially open at its outer free end.

As a result of such construction, Yo-Yos made in accordance with the invention rotate more freely in the air than conventional Yo-Yos, because of the central concentration of the Weight and the small diameter of the main, central portion of Yo-Yos of; the present invention. Their extended length gives them an improved stability about their axes as they rotate. Because of their small diameter, they are more readily caught than conventional Y-o-Yos. Also, because of their extended length, they lend themselves to many variations in shape and color, thereby providing the operator with increased visual pleasure.

In the illustrative embodiments, the extension members are removably mounted upon the main body of the Yo-Yo, although it is to be understood that, if desired,

3,624,958 Patented Dec. 7, 1971 ICC they may be fixedly secured thereto. Such extension members may have a variety of striking appearances, such as being colored, transparent or translucent, and may be themselves decorated or may be decorated, when they are transparent, or having decorative paper or the like inserted therewithin.

In those embodiments wherein the extension members are removable, the device particularly lends itself to being sold as a kit with a main body of the top and a number of single or pairs of extension members of different shapes and characteristics. Thus the operator of the amusement device may, as he desires, radically change its appearance and its operating characteristics as an aerial top. As a result, the familiar Yo-Yo now is capable of much more variety in appearance and manner of use, and its appeal to a child will continue for a much longer time than that of a conventional Yo-Yo. Because of this, the user of the device, whether child or adult, will be encouraged to experiment with the device and to acquire new skills in its use.

The invention has among its objects the provision of an aerial top of novel configuration and operating characteristics.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an aerial top or Yo-Yo which possesses improved dynamic and aerodynamic properties.

Another object of the invention, in certain embodiments thereof, is the provision of a novel aerial top having readily removable end extension members.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an aerial top wherein such top is provided with at least one hollow, at least translucent end extension membears, the end extension members readily lending itself to decoration in various manners, whereby to produce distinctive and varying effects when the top alternately rotates in oppositive directions and at different speeds.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a first embodiment of the Yo-Yo made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view partially in longitudinal section and partially in side elevation of the Yo-Yo to FIG. 1 provided with modified and extension members;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a third embodiment of the Yo-Yo, such Yo-Yo having one or more sound producing formations on at least one of its extension members;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a fourth embodiment of the Yo-Yo in accordance with the invention, the Yo-Yo having a cup-shaped insert mounted in at least one of its extension members.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 of a Yo-Yo in accordance with the invention having still further modified extension members mounted thereon, such members being of mutually different shapes;

FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation of a further embodiment of Yo-Yo in accordance with the invention, the end extension members, taken with the main body of the Yo-Yo, in this instance forming a figure such as a robot; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a seventh embodiment of Yo-Yo in accordance with the invention.

As will be seen from the above, there are shown herein seven illustrative embodiments of tops or Yo-Yos in accordance with the invention. Such seven embodiments Turning now to the drawings, the first illustrative embodiment of aerial top, shown in FIG. 1, is generally designated by reference character 10. Such top has a main body which has two similar body halves generally designated 11, such body halves being joined by an axially disposed shaft 12 about which the operating string 14 is disposed so as to be Wound thereon in a number of turns 15. The body halves 11 may be made for example of wood or plastic material, and the axle 12 is preferably made of metal. In the embodiment shown, the main body 11, of the device is useful by itself as an aerial top. Such main body is made with a diameter which is appreciably less than that of a conventional Yo-Yo, thereby permitting the combination of the main body and the extension members to present a pleasing, unitary appearance, as is evident in each of FIGS. 1-6, inclusive. Because the main body 11, 11 is substantially solid, whereas at least one of the extension members, to be described, is thin-walled, hollow, and is axially open from its outer end, the combinations of each of FIGS. l-6, inclusive, possess entirely satisfactory balance and spinning characteristics.

Each body half 11 is provided with a central axially outwardly extending hollow boss or hub portion 16 which is threaded on its outer surface. The extension members to be secured to the body halves 11 are provided with cup-like bases 17 the inner side walls of which are threaded in order to threadedly receive the bosses 16. The extension members, 20, 21- of FIG. 1 are in the form of thin-walled frusto-conical members the smaller diametered end of which is integrally secured to the base 17. Members 20 and 21 are radially thin, and are made of light plastic material, so that each of such members is markedly lighter, than the main body 11, 11, The members 20, 21, being open at their axially outer ends, permit atmospheric air to penetrate therewithin and to be formed into vortices as the top rotates, whereby to stabilize the top again tipping with respect to its central longitudinal axis.

The members 20, 21, in this instance, are provided with externally applied decorative rings 22; other decorations may also be applied to them, as shown, either inwardly or outwardly of the wall of the members.

In FIG. 2, the main body of the Yo-Yo, which is of the same construction throughout FIGS. l6, inclusive, as above explained, has the parts thereof designated by the same reference characters as in FIG. 1. The Yo-Yo of FIG. 2 differs from that of FIG. 1 in the manner of decoration of the extension members 24, of FIG. 2. In the left hand such member, decorative rings 22 have been applied externally thereof in the same manner as to extension 21 of FIG. 1. The side wall of member 24 is transparent; a wound decorative paper 25 has been applied to the inner wall of member 24, being maintained therein by the inherent springiness of the paper. The right-hand extension member 24 of FIG. 2 in this instance has a strip of decorative paper '26 applied inwardly thereof, such paper being provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive on its outer face in contact with the side wall of the member 24.

The Yo-Yo of FIG. 3 has the same main body as that of the other main body embodiments, the end extension members 27 and 29 thereof, however, having appearances which are different from each other. Thus the member 29 has decorations in the form of spaced elongated diamonds applied thereto, whereas the member '27 has an elongated straight line motif combined with a member of similar helical bands of different color, which give a Barber-pole effect as the top rotates.

The end extension member 29 is provided with a soundproducing formation 32 on its outer end beyond an externally applied decorative ring 31 thereon. The soundproducing formation 32 is made up of a plurality of angularly spaced generally axially extending teeth 34 which are separated by a plurality of spaces 35. In the embodiment shown, the teeth 34 are somewhat radially inwardly bent in an axially outward direction. As the top of FIG. 3 is rotated, the teeth 34 cut through the air and produce a distinctive, agreeable hum, the hum varying in pitch as the top reciprocates between its extreme lower and upper positions, the hum having the highest pitch at the mid-point of the vertical movement of the travel of the top, at which point it has its highest speed of rotation, and decreasing thereafter.

Not only does the formation 32 of FIG. 3 function as a sound producing means, but it can also be used to retain a further extension member 36 in place in the regular Yo-Yo extension member 29', as shown in the embodiment of the Yo-Yo illustrated in FIG. 4. In such embodiment, the further extension member 36 is a paper or plastic cup having a side wall 37 and a transverse bottom 39. The cup is in the form of a frustum of a cone having an apex angle which is the same as or very close to the apex angle of the extension member 29'. When such apex is approximately equal, a cup 36 will be adequately retained within the extension member 29' even though the latter should have a smooth axially outer end.

Member 36 is more securely retained, however, when the end extension No. 29 is provided with a formation 32' at its outer edge as shown in FIG. 4. As in FIG. 3, the outer free edge of the member 29 is provided with a plu' rality of actually outwardly extending, somewhat radially inwardly bent resilient teeth 34, which are separated by spaces or indentations 35. The parts are of such size and shape that, when the cup 36 is inserted into the outer end of the member 29, the outer end of teeth 34 engage the side wall of the cup and are resiliently bent radially outwardly somewhat by the cup and thus securely retain the cup in place. The cup 36 itself may have a decorative side Wall which is transparent or translucent. The decoration afforded by such cup 36, will be visible through the side wall of the member 29 when such side wall is itself translucent or transparent. Thus, if the side wall of member 29' is itself decorated, the decorations on the side wall of the cup 36 may supplement those on member 29. The cup 36,which is made of paper or plastic as above-noted, adds but little to the total weight of the Yo-Yo.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a Yo-Yo having the same main body as in the other embodiments; such Yo-Yo has a right-hand end extension member 40 and a left-hand end extension number 41 of mutually different configura tions and appearances, as shown. Member 40 has a first, axially inner part 42 made up of a plurality of concentric rings falling in a converging frusto conical shape which is joined at its outer end to a second portion 44 which is made up of a plurality of rings of larger diameter, which diverge in an axially outer direction. The outer portion of extension member 40 is made up generally of a ball-shaped member 45 having a multitoothed, sound-producing configuration 46 on its outer edge. Member 40 is made of light weight plastic material, so that in the Yo-Yo of FIG. 5 the above defined limits as to the ratio of the weight of the various extension members with respect to the main body of the Yo-Yo are preserved.

In FIG. 6 there is shown a Yo-Yo which, taken as a whole, generally defines a unitary shape, in this instance a robot. Thus one extension member 49 is in the shape of the head of the robot, Whereas the other extension member 50, which is in the form of a frustum of a cone, has a thin axially outwardly open side wall 51, has a picture thereon of the lower torso and legs of the robot. The depiction of the lower portion of the robot may be applied either externally or internally of the side wall 51 of the member 50. In order that the Yo-Yo of FIG. 6 shall run in good balance it is necessary that the Yo-Yo when at rest and suspended from the cord 14 shall be disposed generally horizontally, that is, that the product of the weight of member 49 multiplied by the axial distance from its center of gravity to the axial center of the axle 12 of the main body of the Yo-Yo shall substantially equal the product of the weight of the extension number 50 multiplied by the distance from its center of gravity to the axial center of the axle 12 of the Yo-Yo.

In FIG. 7 there is fragmentarily shown a Yo-Yo which is generally the same as that of FIG. 1, but has applied to one or both ends (one shown) a cover 54. The cover, which may be made of light plastic material, is provided with an inbent resilient rim 55 which is snapped over the outer edge of member 21, thereby securely retaining the cover in place. The main part of cover 54 is outwardly domed, as shown, and carries a central outwardly directed stem 56 integrally secured thereto. A plurality of holes 57, here shown arranged in four sets of equally angularly spaced pairs, are provided in the cover at equal radial distances adjacent the rim of the cover. The holes produce a distinctive agreeable sound as the Yo-Yo rotates in the air, apparently by reason of the edges of the holes cutting through the air. The space substantially enclosed by member 21 and cap 54 functions as an efficient resonator. By suitably changing the number and positions of the holes 57, different sounds or pitches can be produced.

The top of the invention lends itself very well to its use as a premium, since the extension members may bear advertising matter, or the paper inserts or the like in the extension members, and/or the cups inserted in the ends of the extension members may hear such matter. The displays on the extension members may be in different contrasting colors, which are striking both when the top is rotating and at rest. The top makes an excellent gift for a child, particularly at Christmas, since the hollow extension members can be filled with candy, small toys, and the like. Other uses and advantages of the top will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

Although the invention is illustrated and described with reference to a plurality of preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be expressly understood that it is in no way limited to the disclosure of such a plurality of preferred embodiments, but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An aerial top comprising a body having two similar body halves, an axle connecting the body halves in axially spaced relationship, a flexible strand connected to the axle between the body halves, said strand being adapted to be wound upon the axle in opposite directions as the top rotatesin opposite directions, whereby the top alternately falls downwardly and climbs with respect to the strand, and extension members each having a weight substantially less than that of the body secured to the axially outer ends of the body of the top coaxially thereof, the extension members having a combined axial length which substantially exceeds the axial length of the body, at least one of the extension members generally diverges axially outwardly from its outer end.

2. A top as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least said one of the extension members is hollow and has a thin peripheral wall.

3. A top as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of the extension members is open ended at its axially outer end.

4. A top as claimed in claim 3, wherein the two extension members are substantially similar.

5. A top as claimed in claim 3, comprising a hollow Erusto-conical thin-walled insert mounted within said open ended extension member coaxially thereof.

6. A top as claimed in claim 5, wherein the insert extends partially into and partially out of the said extension member.

7. A top as claimed in claim 6, wherein the insert and the said extension member have substantially the same apex angle disposed in the same direction and have forcible frictional engagement with each other.

8. A top as claimed in claim 7, comprising resilient fingers on the outer edge of the said extension member gripping the side wall of the insert.

9. A top as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least portions of the walls of the extension members are transparent, and comprising decorative means on said walls.

10. A top as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least some of said decorative means are on the inner surfaces of the walls of the extension members.

11. A top as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the extension members carries a sound producing device thereon.

12. A top as claimed in claim 11, wherein the sound producing device comprises a plurality of angularly spaced teeth on the axially outer edge of the said one extension member.

13. A top as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extension members are selectively removable from and replaceable upon the body of the top.

14. A top as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the extension members comprises at least two removably connected serially mounted coaxial members.

15. A top as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the extension members comprises at least two removably connected serially mounted coaxial members.

16. An aerial top comprising a body having two similar body halves, an axle connecting the body halves in axially spaced relationship, a flexible strand connected to the axle between the body halves, said strand being adapted to be wound upon the axle in opposite directions as the top rotates in opposite directions, whereby the top alternately falls downwardly and climbs with respect to the strand, extension members each having a weight substantially less than that of the body secured to the axially outer ends of the body of the top coaxially thereof, the extension members having a combined axial length which substantially exceeds the axial length of the body, and a removable cap on the outer end of at least one of the extension members.

17. A top as claimed in claim 16, wherein the cap has a main portion spanning the outer end of said one extension member, and wherein said main portion of the cap has at least one sound-producing opening therethrough.

18. A top as claimed in claim 17, wherein the main portion of the cap has a plurality of openings therethrough angularly spaced about the axis of the cap.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,610,439 9/1952 Nemeth 46-6l 3,191,344 6/1965 Yagjian 46-61 X 3,318,041 5/1967 Denman 466O 3,413,753 12/1968 Colmer 46-61 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,149 1907 Great Britain 4660 RUSSELL R. KINSEY, Primary Examiner R. F. CUTTING, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 46-66 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 624 .958 Dated D gb 1 91] Invent fl Stephen J. Sglayka It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 59, "outer" should read inner Signed and sealed this 31st day of October 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents ORM PO-IOSO (0-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-F'59 

